Using a Celebrant for YOUR Wedding, YOUR Way
At present in the UK, only a Registrar, a council employee, can perform the legal element of a marriage. These legalities take place at licensed, impersonal council offices. They take approximately 12 minutes and cost under £100.00. There are a limited number of external venues (approx. £650.00), but the ceremony itself will remain impersonal.
Using a civil celebrant frees you to have exactly the ceremony you want. Weddings, Vow Renewals, Baby Naming, Family Blending, Gender Affirmation, Funeral Services, Memorials, and many other celebrations. At a location and style of your choice. Nowhere is off limits, as long as you have permission from the land or property owner. A celebrant gets to know you and your story and writes your unique ceremony to truly reflect your individual journey.
The ten steps of the celebrant process are:
- Legal formalities: As soon as you know your appropriate timescale, book a “2+2” or ‘statutory marriage” or “early bird” slot at a register office for a few days before your actual wedding celebration. This ceremony takes 12 minutes and is the very basic “legal stuff.” It currently costs £57 for this part of the process. These slots get booked quickly, so it’s important to book as soon as possible. Your ‘banns’ must be lodged, with the council, 28 days before your marriage. Your marriage must happen within 12 months of booking with the council. You must do these steps to be legally married.
- Find your celebrant: Ask friends or family for a recommendation. Google me! Have a chat by phone or Zoom, then arrange to meet up, preferably at your venue, to discuss your wishes.
- Choose your venue: Book your date, sign the contract, and pay your deposit to secure the venue.
- Secure your celebrant: Choose your celebrant, sign the contract, and pay your deposit to confirm the booking.
- Plan the details: Approximately 12 weeks before your wedding date (if time allows), meet again with your celebrant to finalise the details of the day, including your vows and timings.
- Ceremony writing: Your celebrant will then begin to write your ceremony. They will select poetry and readings to complement your vows and weave a beautiful narrative around your love story – where you met, the proposal, your families, and your journey together. A unique ceremony, just for you.
- Final preparations: Approximately six weeks before your big day, or according to the terms and conditions, pay the balance for your celebrant.
- On the day: Your celebrant will arrive well ahead of time, checking the venue and making sure everything is in place. They will liaise with the venue, direct the service, provide reassurance, guide your guests and ensure the ceremony runs smoothly, just as you envisioned.
- Commemorative moments: Sign your commemorative Wedding Certificate and pose for photographs.
- Enjoy your special day: Relax and enjoy your day, secure in the knowledge that your ceremony is in safe hands.
Having a celebrant for your wedding allows you to have the ceremony in your words, in your style, at your venue.
Ring me today for an informal, no-obligation chat.
Jill Churchill
Professional Celebrant
07888 652814
